May 2, 2016
DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2016
Table of Contents
Strengthening the Fire Safety and Awareness Program
To:
Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Directors
School Division Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools Heads
All Others Concerned
- The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the enclosed Guidelines on Strengthening the Fire Safety and Awareness Program (FSAP) which aims to establish specific roles, responsibilities, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the fire safety and awareness program of schools which was launched through DepEd Order Nos. 72, s. 2012 and 13, s. 2013.
- The roles, responsibilities, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms constituting the process shall guide the concerned offices of schools, schools divisions, regions, and the central office in addressing fire safety preparedness measures and facilitate the Fire Code compliance of schools through a sustainable program and partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
- All DepEd Orders, Memoranda, and other related issuances, rules, regulations, and provisions which are inconsistent with these guidelines are hereby repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.
- This Order shall take effect immediately upon its issuance.
- Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.
(Sgd.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary
(Enclosure to DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2016)
GUIDELINES ON STRENGTHENING THE FIRE SAFETY AND AWARENESS PROGRAM (FSAP)
I. Rationale
The Department of Education (DepEd), due to the threat of lire to the safety of learners and personnel and the possible effects to school properties, is enhancing the Fire Safety and Awareness Program (FSAP) of schools instituted through DepEd Order Nos. 72, s. 2012 and 13, s. 2013.The issuance shall provide the specific roles and responsibilities of DepEd in terms of the FSAP to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the program and facilitate compliance of school to the Fire Code.
II. Scope of the Policy
This issuance aims to define the roles and responsibilities of DepEd at all levels and create monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This is also in support to the partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), for the purpose of implementing a sustainable program on lire safety for schools (please see Annex A).
III. Definition of Terms
For purposes of this Order, the following terms are defined/understood as follows:1
a. Fire. The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.
b. Fire Code. The standard fire prevention and safety measures prescribed in Republic Act No. 9514, also known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of2008”.
c. Fire Safety. The prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires.
IV. Policy Statement
The DepEd Order hereby establishes the roles, responsibilities, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of the FSAP described in this Order which or when applied, should ensure the safely of all learners and personnel, the protection of school properties, and the promotion of a supportive, safe and effective learning environment.
V. Procedures
Table 1 provides for the Roles and Responsibilities of the relevant offices to this issuance. This also includes the reporting protocol from the school to the central office. All expenses related to the implementation and monitoring of this program shall be charged against their respective MOOEs.
The four (4) main initiatives of the program are as follows:
a. School Fire Safety Plan;
b. Fire Safety Inspection;
c. Fire Drills and Fire Safety Lectures for School Personnel; and,
d. Quarterly Fire Drills and Fire Safety Lectures for Learners and School Personnel. It is also highly encouraged to conduct the said drills with other hazards (e.g. earthquake, flood, etc.).
Fire Safety Measures For Schools
- Designate a school personnel to be in-charge of the program.
- Formulate a FIRE ESCAPE PLAN.
- Ensure the presence of FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES and EXIT PATHS which the students and personnel should be aware of. These should be clearly marked with readable SIGNAGE.
- Inspect doors and windows of classrooms and other school buildings and ensure that they are easy to open.
- Ensure that exit/escape paths are free of obstruction.
- Trim shrubs and trees in the school vicinity.
- Enforce proper waste management. Clear the school grounds from waste. Combustible waste such as papers, wood, plastics, paint tins, flammable liquids should not be stored in heaps or loose in the open. Suitable receptacles such as litter bins, recycling bins, etc. should be provided.
- Conduct regular electrical safety inspection and take necessary actions to repair or replace defective wirings, light bulbs, etc.
- Demand and practice good school keeping practices, e.g. inspect laboratories daily; unplug electrical wirings and turn-off lights.
- Formulate fire safety and control measures for contractors as they can increase the risk of fire and cause obstruction to escape routes.
- Ensure the provision of fire safety and protection equipment, which should not be limited to fire extinguishers. Other equipment may include pails, hose, etc.
- Conduct regular FIRE DRILLS.
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Read:
- DO 25, s. 2016 – Declaring May 2, 2016 as Commencement of Senior High School Enrolment for School Year 2016-2017
- DO 26, s. 2016 – Revised Qualification Standards (QS) for the Position of Public Schools District Supervisor
- DO 27, s. 2016 – Qualification Standards (QS) for Senior High School (SHS) Teaching Positions in the Department of Education (DepEd)
